Senior Financial Accountant Role (Certificate of Sponsorship Available) at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

Location: United Kingdom
Salary: £54,416 to £68,344 per annum (Pro-rata)
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
Certificate of Sponsorship (COS): Available
Closing Date: 08 May 2025

Introduction

Are you a skilled financial accountant looking for an opportunity to work at the forefront of public health finance? The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is seeking a Senior Financial Accountant to join its team and play a pivotal role in the agency’s financial transformation program. This is a unique chance to be part of a dynamic organization that is redefining its finance function to drive efficiency and transparency in the health sector.

In this position, you will oversee the production of statutory accounts, manage cash flows, and provide expert advice on complex technical accounting areas. You will work closely with senior leadership to ensure financial operations comply with government regulations, supporting UKHSA’s broader mission to safeguard public health.

Key Responsibilities

As a Senior Financial Accountant at UKHSA, your core duties will include:

1. Statutory Accounts and Consolidation

Production of Statutory Accounts: Oversee the preparation of the statutory accounts and consolidation schedule to ensure they are completed within the agreed timetable.
Compliance: Ensure the accounts meet the requirements of accounting standards and regulatory frameworks, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Coordination: Lead the coordination of the annual report, working closely with relevant departments to gather the necessary information.

2. Audit and Reporting Management

Audit Management: Act as the lead for managing sample evidence for the year-end audit and liaise with external auditors to ensure smooth progression of the Annual Report and Accounts (ARA).
Remuneration Reporting: Prepare the remuneration and staff report, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.
Balance Sheet Integrity: Be responsible for maintaining the integrity of the balance sheet by ensuring all accounts are reconciled monthly and appropriate actions are taken in a timely manner.

3. Cash Flow Management

Strategic Cash Forecasting: Develop and maintain a sound cash forecasting model to support UKHSA’s long-term planning and budgeting process.
Cashflow Management: Ensure compliance with Treasury, Government Banking Service, and Department of Health and Social Care regulations related to cash flows.
Monthly Returns: Submit monthly returns to the Department of Health and Social Care, calculating and drawing down the required parliamentary funding.

4. Technical Accounting Advisory

Subject Matter Expert: Provide technical accounting advice on IFRS, FReM (Financial Reporting Manual), and other relevant government guidelines.
Regulatory Requirements: Ensure compliance with regulatory standards such as IR35, providing insight into any impact on financial processes.

5. Financial Control and Process Improvement

Financial Control: Analyze existing processes to identify and implement improvements in financial control and reporting.
Operational Support: Provide ad-hoc support to the Financial Accounting team as needed, including assisting with reconciliations and addressing complex accounting queries.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential Criteria

Professional Qualification: CCAB Qualified or finalist.
Experience: Proven experience in producing statutory accounts for large, complex organizations.
Knowledge: A solid understanding of IFRS and other relevant accounting standards.
Financial Software Proficiency: Experience with financial reporting software and strong data interrogation skills.

Desirable Criteria

Financial Reporting Manual (FReM): Familiarity with FReM is highly desirable.
Cash Flow Management: Experience managing cash flows for large organizations.

Benefits

At UKHSA, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that reflects the value we place on our employees. Benefits include:

Flexible Working: We offer flexibility to create a work-life balance that suits your needs, including part-time, job share, and hybrid working options.
Competitive Salary: A salary range of £54,416 to £68,344 per annum, with the potential for additional market pay supplements.
Security and Benefits: As part of a government agency, enjoy job security and public sector benefits, including a generous pension scheme and annual leave entitlement.
Career Development: UKHSA is committed to professional development and offers opportunities for further training and growth within the finance function.

About UKHSA

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a government body that plays a critical role in safeguarding public health across the UK. Our mission is to ensure that we can prevent, detect, and respond to health threats, including pandemics, infectious diseases, and environmental hazards.

As an inclusive employer, UKHSA celebrates diversity and encourages applicants from all backgrounds, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to our mission. We are actively working to increase representation across all levels and invite applications from groups that are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

Our ethos is one of inclusivity, where differences are embraced, and innovation thrives. At UKHSA, we value every individual’s contribution to creating a healthier, more secure future for all.

For more information about UKHSA’s culture and values, visit our careers site here.

Selection Process

The selection process for this role is based on a competency framework, which will assess your knowledge, experience, and skills against the essential and desirable criteria. The process includes the following stages:

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Application Form: Complete the application form, providing details of your experience and qualifications.
Statement of Suitability: Submit a 500-word statement outlining your suitability for the role, specifically addressing how your experience aligns with the essential criteria.
Longlisting: Applications will be assessed, and longlisting will occur based on whether the candidate meets all, some, or none of the essential criteria.

Stage 2: Interview

Interview: Candidates who meet the criteria will be invited to a remote interview, where knowledge, experience, and skills will be assessed.

Location & Working Environment

This role is offered as hybrid working, with a requirement to work at one of UKHSA’s core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, or London) for a minimum of 60% of your contractual hours. UKHSA offices are modern and newly refurbished, offering excellent city-center transport links.

Eligibility Criteria

The role is open to both internal and external applicants. However, please note that successful candidates will need to pass a Basic Personnel Security Standard check before being appointed. Additionally, candidates requiring a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome to apply.

Security Clearance

Candidates must undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of the recruitment process. This is to ensure the safety and integrity of the public sector environment.

How to Apply

To apply for the Senior Financial Accountant role at UKHSA, please submit your application by the closing date of 08 May 2025. Ensure you include all required documents, including your CV and statement of suitability. Applications can be submitted through the official UKHSA careers portal.

For more detailed information and to apply, visit the UKHSA Careers Page.

Conclusion

If you are a highly qualified financial professional with experience in statutory accounts and financial reporting, and you’re looking to contribute to the public sector, this is an excellent opportunity to enhance your career with UKHSA. Join a transformative finance team and help shape the future of health security in the UK.

Deadline for applications: 08 May 2025.